By Michael Pyo ‘22, Feature Editor (March 2022)

To serve as the Upper School Principal at Newark Academy, one must be communicative, exhibit strong leadership, and demonstrate a passion for students. Dr. DiBianca has served admirably in this role over the past couple of years; we are thankful for all he has done, and we are ecstatic that he will still be present within a classroom environment at the school. 

  This upcoming fall, Newark Academy will be experiencing a major change in leadership. Dr. Catherine “Cathy” Atwell will begin her term as Upper School Principal this fall. As an educator, Dr. Atwell prioritizes a healthy school atmosphere that balances rigor and fun, demonstrating NA’s emphasis on “Reimagining Rigor.” She formerly served at the Marlborough School in Los Angeles, where she was the Dean of Student Research and Head of Marlborough’s Honors Research in Humanities and Social Sciences program. Having graduated Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Dartmouth College, she bleeds green, although she’ll have to trade that in for the red and black of the Minutemen.

  I was fortunate enough to interview Dr. Atwell with questions that allow us to get to know her as an educator, leader, and person. 

I was first curious about what drew Dr. Atwell to Newark Academy; first and foremost she described NA’s “outstanding academic reputation,” but also said, “More important[ly]… NA’s supportive culture emphasizes warmth, curiosity, experimentation, integrity, and kindness.” Beyond culture and academics, she is “really excited about NA’s smart, talented students and the opportunity to support them both collectively and individually.” 

Following the school-wide initiatives to raise awareness for student mental health, I asked Dr. Atwell what kind of school atmosphere she believes is healthy, allows students to strive, and brings out the joy in learning. She prefaced her response by saying, “Every school community is different, and I don’t want to presume I know before I hear from NA students first –– their challenges, experiences, and suggestions.” However, she started by explaining that “for learning to be joyful, intrinsic motivation is key.”

She continued to give three “points of connection” that make learning joyful and should be present in a healthy school atmosphere. “Point of connection #1: Positive student relationships with teachers. If a student doesn’t feel empowered and emboldened by a teacher, and doesn’t trust that the teacher will lead with kindness and empathy, then the student is unlikely to want to open themselves up to the kind of intellectual risk-taking that results in the most profound and joyful learning. Point of connection #2: Some degree of student agency or choice, even within a prescribed curriculum. In my experience, if a student sometimes has the option to focus on a topic they have selected, or to demonstrate their learning in a format of their own choosing, it can enliven learning and promote feelings of accomplishment. Point of connection #3: A feeling of safety and belonging among peers. If students feel left out, unseen, picked on or demeaned by classmates, it’s unlikely they will feel any joy or motivation in that learning environment.”

  Additionally, Dr. Atwell notes that “a healthy school atmosphere must balance work, fun and rest. Students aren’t robots… sleeping, daydreaming… spending time with friends [are] also really important.” She also says both parents and students need to learn “that it’s OK to say no. More isn’t always better. You have to prioritize and be willing to let go of things sometimes.” Lastly, she explains, “It’s important to talk about mental health challenges to destigmatize them. It can be really hard to ask for help. I love that NA students are taking the lead in educating the community and normalizing conversations about mental health.” 

  In addition to her previous experience as an administrator, Dr. Atwell has been teaching for over a decade. Dr. Atwell’s favorite aspect of being an educator is “getting to know [her] students and their families.” She continues, “it’s such a privilege to get to watch them grow into who they were meant to be, and to be a part of that process.” I also asked Dr. Atwell what she values most in a student. She gave three qualities: courage, kindness, and curiosity, all attributes every NA student possesses. 

  I also had to ask what Dr. Atwell was like in high school; it is hard to relate to administrators or faculty who we often forget also went through the same process and experience. She starts, “I went to high school in the 1980s –– it was a very different world. I’d say I was… pretty adventurous and non-conformist. For example, I took myself to Spain for the summer between junior and senior year, but not on any school-organized program. I went to the University de Salamanca, enrolled in language classes, and lived with a widow and a bunch of college students from Brigham Young University in Utah.” Her main extracurricular activity was dance as she “studied modern dance and ballet from childhood and trained in a pre-professional program while in high school.” 

  On a more silly note, I asked Dr. Atwell what her go-to karaoke song was. She has three (and she cautions readers: “don’t judge”): “Last Dance with Mary Jane” by Tom Petty, “Take Me to Church” by Hozier, and “Rhythm Nation” by Janey Jackson. Furthermore, if she were any color in a crayon box, she would be green because of her Dartmouth pride, in addition to her love for “being outdoors and watching things grow.” 

Although I will not be a student at Newark Academy under Dr. Atwell’s leadership, I am hopeful and confident that she will continue to foster a community that is both academically rigorous and superbly holistic. As I finish my last months at NA, I am glad to know that someone as kind, knowledgeable, open-minded, and enthusiastic as Dr. Atwell will be leading the Upper School to further greatness and possibility.